There is one question that parents seem to be asking everywhere at the moment: Should children under 16 be allowed on social media?

Whether you’re living in Edinburgh, Suva, Lautoka or London, you’ve probably seen headlines about governments wanting to take a stand on stronger protection for children online. In the UK, policymakers debate whether more should be done to limit children’s access to social media and strengthen age verification. In Fiji, similar conversations are emerging as parents, educators and leaders consider how best to protect young people in an increasingly digital world.

These conversations matter.

But as parents, caregivers and communities, perhaps the more important questions is this: Are we preparing our children to make wise decisions in a digital world regardless of when they sign up for their first account?

At Maroroi, we believe online safety isn’t simply about saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to technology; it’s about equipping families with the confidence, knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world together.

Why is everyone talking about social media and children?

Our children today are growing up in a world very different from the one many of us knew.

A generation ago, parents worried about who their children played with after school. Today, our children can connect with strangers, influencers, gaming communities and artificial intelligence from the comfort of their bedrooms.

Technology has brought incredible opportunities. Children can learn new skills, stay connected with family across oceans, discover creative hobbies and access educational resources that previous generations could only dream of.

Yet, technology has also introduced new risks.

Parents are increasingly concerned about:

• Cyberbullying
• Harmful online content
• Unrealistic beauty standards
• Online predators
• Scams and fraud
• Excessive screen time
• Mental health impacts

Governments are asking whether existing laws are enough to keep children safe.

Parents are asking how they can keep up with technology that seems to change every month.

Both deserve some thought.

A Pacific Perspective on Digital Parenting

As someone who has worked in online safety in Fiji and now lives in the UK where laws are vastly more incorporated, I see something important.

Although our countries are thousands of miles apart, our hopes for our children are remarkably similar:

We want them to be kind, to be curious, and to grow into confident young adults who make wise descisions.

Technology has not changed those hopes. It simply changed the environment in which our children are growing up.

In many Pacific cultures, raising a child has never been the responsibility of one person alone. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, church leaders, neighbours and teachers all play a role, as often said, “…it takes village…”. And in Fiji, this is sometimes literally a village.

That same spirit of shared responsibility has a place in the digital world – keeping children safe online is not solely for government, schools or technology companies – it is something we all contribute to.

Will changing the law solve the problem?

Laws are important, critical to our growing infrastructures. They set expectations and encourage technology companies to design safer platforms. Laws create accountability.

But, laws alone cannot teach values or impart wisdom.

A child who is not emotionally prepared for social media at 16 may face many of the same challenges as they would at 13 years old. Likewise, a younger teen who has been guided by caring adults, taught to critically evaluate and encouraged to speak openly about their online experiences is often better equipped to navigate digital spaces responsibly.

Age matters, preparation matters even more.

What can families do today?

Rather than waiting for the next headline or policy announcement, there are some very real life, practical steps every family can start today:

• Start conversations early, don’t wait until they see something from their friends at school, talk with them about privacy, consent, and respecting others even if you differ in opinions.
• Learn together, whether it’s a new game online, new music or new app, be curious enough to get engaged in your child’s online activities. Ask them to show you how the platforms they enjoy actually work.
• Build trust before rules, children are more likely to come to us with questions or concerns if they know they won’t immediately lose access to the technology or that they won’t get a hiding before they’ve had a chance to explain. Try choosing to create an environment where mistakes are opportunities to learn and be better.
• Model healthy habits. This is often easier said than done but our children notice how often we pick up our phones in conversations or when we seem idle. Digital wellbeing is something the whole family can practice together.
• Focus on character, technology changes rapidly, values endure. Teaching empathy, honesty, courage and responsibility prepares our children not only for today’s platforms but for technologies that haven’t even been invented yet.

The Maroroi Challenge

This week, instead of asking your child “What are you doing on your phone?”

Try asking, “What’s something interesting you’ve seen online this week?

You might be surprised where the conversation leads.

Final Thoughts

The debate about children and social media will continue. New laws may come and platforms will evolve. Artificial intelligence (AI) will reshape how our children experience the internet.

But one thing remains constant – children need trusted adults who are willing to listen, learn alongside them and guide them with patience.

At the Maroroi Project we believe online safety begins at home, not with fear but with conversation, not with perfect digitally sophisticated parents but with present ones because when families grow in digital wisdom together, children are better prepared to thrive wherever technology takes them.